Loaded with the heaviest fetters, and constantly watched by two of
the jailers' assistants, who neither quitted him for a single moment,
nor suffered any visitor to approach him, Jack Sheppard found all
attempts to escape impracticable.
He was confined in the Middle Stone Ward, a spacious apartment, with
good light and air, situated over the gateway on the western side,
and allotted to him, not for his own convenience, but for that of
the keepers, who, if he had been placed in a gloomier or more
incommodious dungeon, would have necessarily had to share it with
him.
Through this, his last trial, Jack's spirits never deserted him.
He seemed resigned but cheerful, and held frequent and serious
discourses with the ordinary, who felt satisfied of his sincere
penitence. The only circumstance which served to awaken a darker
feeling in his breast was, that his implacable foe Jonathan Wild had
survived the wound inflicted by Blueskin, and was slowly recovering.
As soon as he could be moved with safety, Jonathan had himself
transported to Newgate, where he was carried into the Middle Ward,
that he might feast his eyes upon his victim. Having seen every
precaution taken to ensure his safe custody, he departed, muttering
to himself, “I shall yet live to see him hanged--I shall live to see
him hanged.”
Animated by his insatiate desire of vengeance, he seemed to gain
strength daily,--so much so, that within a fortnight after receiving
his wound he was able to stir abroad.
On Thursday, the 12th of November, after having endured nearly a
month's imprisonment, Jack Sheppard was conveyed from Newgate to
Westminster Hall. He was placed in a coach, handcuffed, and heavily
fettered, and guarded by a vast posse of officers to Temple Bar,
where a fresh relay of constables escorted him to Westminster.
By this time, Jack's reputation had risen to such a height with
the populace,--his exploits having become the universal theme of
discourse, that the streets were almost impassable for the crowds
collected to obtain a view of him. The vast area in front of
Westminster Hall was thronged with people, and it was only by a
vigorous application of their staves that the constables could force
a passage for the vehicle. At length, however, the prisoner was got
out, when such was the rush of the multitude that several persons
were trampled down, and received severe injuries.
Arrived in the Hall, the prisoner's handcuffs were removed, and
he was taken before the Court of King's Bench. The record of his
conviction at the Old Bailey sessions was then read; and as no
objection was offered to it, the Attorney-General moved that his
execution might take place on Monday next. Upon this, Jack earnestly
and eloquently addressed himself to the bench, and besought that a
petition which he had prepared to be laid before the King might be
read. This request, however, was refused; and he was told that the
only way in which he could entitle himself to his Majesty's clemency
would be by discovering who had abetted him in his last escape; the
strongest suspicions being entertained that he had not affected it
alone.
Sheppard replied by a solemn assertion, “that he had received
no assistance except from Heaven.”--An answer for which he was
immediately reprimanded by the court. It having been stated that it
was wholly impossible he could have removed his irons in the way he
represented, he offered, if his handcuffs were replaced, to take
them off in the presence of the court. The proposal, however, was
not acceded to; and the Chief Justice Powis, after enumerating his
various offences and commenting upon their heinousness, awarded
sentence of death against him for the following Monday.
As Jack was removed, he noticed Jonathan Wild at a little distance
from him, eyeing him with a look of the most savage satisfaction. The
thief-taker's throat was bound up with thick folds of linen, and
his face had a ghastly and cadaverous look, which communicated an
undefinable and horrible expression to his glances.
Meanwhile, the mob outside had prodigiously increased, and had begun
to exhibit some disposition to riot. The coach in which the prisoner
had been conveyed was already broken to pieces, and the driver was
glad to escape with life. Terrific shouts were raised by the rabble,
who threatened to tear Wild in pieces if he showed himself.
Amid this tumult, several men armed with tremendous bludgeons, with
their faces besmeared with grease and soot, and otherwise disguised,
were observed to be urging the populace to attempt a rescue. They
were headed by an athletic-looking, swarthy-featured man, who was
armed with a cutlass, which he waved over his head to cheer on his
companions.
These desperadoes had been the most active in demolishing the coach,
and now, being supported by the rabble, they audaciously approached
the very portals of the ancient Hall. The shouts, yells, and groans
which they uttered, and which were echoed by the concourse in the
rear, were perfectly frightful.
Jonathan, who with the other constables had reconnoitred this band,
and recognised in its ring-leader, Blueskin, commanded the constables
to follow him, and made a sally for the purpose of seizing him.
Enfeebled by his wound, Wild had lost much of his strength, though
nothing of his ferocity and energy,--and fiercely assailing Blueskin,
he made a desperate but unsuccessful attempt to apprehend him.
He was, however, instantly beaten back; and the fury of the mob was
so great that it was with difficulty he could effect a retreat. The
whole force of the constables, jailers and others was required to
keep the crowd out of the Hall. The doors were closed and barricaded,
and the mob threatened to burst them open if Jack was not delivered
to them.
Things now began to wear so serious a aspect that a messenger was
secretly despatched to the Savoy for troops, and in half an hour
a regiment of the guards arrived, who by dint of great exertion
succeeded in partially dispersing the tumultuous assemblage. Another
coach was then procured, in which the prisoner was placed.
Jack's appearance was hailed with the loudest cheers, but when
Jonathan followed and took a place beside him in the vehicle,
determined, he said, never to lose sight of him, the abhorrence of
the multitude was expressed by execrations, hoots, and yells of the
most terrific kind. So dreadful were these shouts as to produce an
effect upon the hardened feelings of Jonathan, who shrank out of
sight.
It was well for him that he had taken his place by Sheppard, as
regard for the latter alone prevented the deadliest missiles being
hurled at him. As it was, the mob went on alternately hooting and
huzzaing as the names of Wild and Sheppard were pronounced, while
some individuals, bolder than the rest, thrust their faces into
the coach-window, and assured Jack that he should never be taken to
Tyburn.
“We'll see that, you yelping hounds!” rejoined Jonathan, glaring
fiercely at them.
In this way, Jack was brought back to Newgate, and again chained down
in the Middle Ward.
It was late before Jonathan ventured to his own house, where he
remained up all night, and kept his janizaries and other assistants
well armed.